Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If you’re not typically out at 2:30 am , why would this concern anyone?

OP sounds like a concern troll.

OP here. My concern is that the county government seems to think this level of violence is acceptable. It doesn’t really matter to me where in the county the violence happens. I’d like to have less of it and to see a real discussion among our officials of which policies have failed and what needs to be fixed.

I don't think the council is pro-violence, just they know if they actually get tough on crime, it's going to cause a spike in arrests of young men of certain races, and that will go against their equity goals.

You are making that up out of thin air. None of our elected leaders have ever said such a thing.

DCUM has perfected the art of concern trolling lol.

The county has increased the police budget year over year as well as increased patrols in SS and garages. The new Saturday parking few is specifically designed to pay for increased security. That sounds like they are working on improving security to me.

Pay attention to the council’s actions related to public safety. They have vilified the police force so much over the past three years that the dept is 20% down on officers. Yes, they are throwing money that way because they are trying to correct a problem they created, but they still aren’t able to recruit the numbers they need. People willing to be officers are heading to more supportive counties because this council’s reputation is well known.

Any increased patrols are going to be overworked officers filling vacancies.

I’m a DP and definitely not concern trolling. I’m just one who is going to make sure public safety concerns fall at the feet of the people causing the problem: the council.

I appreciate the time you took to respond. I understand your concerns but I just don’t see any evidence that supports your very narrow conclusions. I see staffing shortages across the country and not just in MoCo or blue districts. How can the council be solely responsible for what is obviously a national trend? Then I see the council raising pay and incentives for hiring more police. That seems like they are responding to the situation like they should. You can’t say they don’t support police when they increased funding. It’s not as simple as you want it to be.

I’ve been watching this develop for several years now. We have a council member who refers to police as “thugs” and “goons” on social media, and has called for defunding more times than one can count. She’s on the public safety committee. The council’s task force suggests reducing staffing by 50% in Wheaton and Silver Spring in order to reduce the public’s contact with the police, which suggests that the police are the problem. (I recommend reading the whole report… all 80+ pages of it. The anti-police stance is very clear.) We have another council member whose current Step Act is (even according to him) about limiting police interactions with those committing minor traffic offenses, in order to protect people from police.

This is me with my eyes WIDE open. No narrow view here.

I would love to see the document that you are citing. Do you have a link? Specifically the part about reducing staffing.

I actually believe that reducing traffic enforcement is a good idea so that police can focus on violent crime.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If you’re not typically out at 2:30 am , why would this concern anyone?

OP sounds like a concern troll.

OP here. My concern is that the county government seems to think this level of violence is acceptable. It doesn’t really matter to me where in the county the violence happens. I’d like to have less of it and to see a real discussion among our officials of which policies have failed and what needs to be fixed.

I don't think the council is pro-violence, just they know if they actually get tough on crime, it's going to cause a spike in arrests of young men of certain races, and that will go against their equity goals.

You are making that up out of thin air. None of our elected leaders have ever said such a thing.

DCUM has perfected the art of concern trolling lol.

The county has increased the police budget year over year as well as increased patrols in SS and garages. The new Saturday parking few is specifically designed to pay for increased security. That sounds like they are working on improving security to me.

Pay attention to the council’s actions related to public safety. They have vilified the police force so much over the past three years that the dept is 20% down on officers. Yes, they are throwing money that way because they are trying to correct a problem they created, but they still aren’t able to recruit the numbers they need. People willing to be officers are heading to more supportive counties because this council’s reputation is well known.

Any increased patrols are going to be overworked officers filling vacancies.

I’m a DP and definitely not concern trolling. I’m just one who is going to make sure public safety concerns fall at the feet of the people causing the problem: the council.

I appreciate the time you took to respond. I understand your concerns but I just don’t see any evidence that supports your very narrow conclusions. I see staffing shortages across the country and not just in MoCo or blue districts. How can the council be solely responsible for what is obviously a national trend? Then I see the council raising pay and incentives for hiring more police. That seems like they are responding to the situation like they should. You can’t say they don’t support police when they increased funding. It’s not as simple as you want it to be.

I’ve been watching this develop for several years now. We have a council member who refers to police as “thugs” and “goons” on social media, and has called for defunding more times than one can count. She’s on the public safety committee. The council’s task force suggests reducing staffing by 50% in Wheaton and Silver Spring in order to reduce the public’s contact with the police, which suggests that the police are the problem. (I recommend reading the whole report… all 80+ pages of it. The anti-police stance is very clear.) We have another council member whose current Step Act is (even according to him) about limiting police interactions with those committing minor traffic offenses, in order to protect people from police.

This is me with my eyes WIDE open. No narrow view here.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If you’re not typically out at 2:30 am , why would this concern anyone?

OP sounds like a concern troll.

OP here. My concern is that the county government seems to think this level of violence is acceptable. It doesn’t really matter to me where in the county the violence happens. I’d like to have less of it and to see a real discussion among our officials of which policies have failed and what needs to be fixed.

I don't think the council is pro-violence, just they know if they actually get tough on crime, it's going to cause a spike in arrests of young men of certain races, and that will go against their equity goals.

You are making that up out of thin air. None of our elected leaders have ever said such a thing.

DCUM has perfected the art of concern trolling lol.

The county has increased the police budget year over year as well as increased patrols in SS and garages. The new Saturday parking few is specifically designed to pay for increased security. That sounds like they are working on improving security to me.

Pay attention to the council’s actions related to public safety. They have vilified the police force so much over the past three years that the dept is 20% down on officers. Yes, they are throwing money that way because they are trying to correct a problem they created, but they still aren’t able to recruit the numbers they need. People willing to be officers are heading to more supportive counties because this council’s reputation is well known.

Any increased patrols are going to be overworked officers filling vacancies.

I’m a DP and definitely not concern trolling. I’m just one who is going to make sure public safety concerns fall at the feet of the people causing the problem: the council.

I appreciate the time you took to respond. I understand your concerns but I just don’t see any evidence that supports your very narrow conclusions. I see staffing shortages across the country and not just in MoCo or blue districts. How can the council be solely responsible for what is obviously a national trend? Then I see the council raising pay and incentives for hiring more police. That seems like they are responding to the situation like they should. You can’t say they don’t support police when they increased funding. It’s not as simple as you want it to be.

Anonymous wrote:the police budget this year noted spending went up for compensation but police services actually went down

Makes sense. They have to spend a ton more on overtime because they are so short staffed.

It’s hard to answer all calls when you only have half a shift operating because of these vacancies.

the police budget this year noted spending went up for compensation but police services actually went down

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If you’re not typically out at 2:30 am , why would this concern anyone?

OP sounds like a concern troll.

OP here. My concern is that the county government seems to think this level of violence is acceptable. It doesn’t really matter to me where in the county the violence happens. I’d like to have less of it and to see a real discussion among our officials of which policies have failed and what needs to be fixed.

I don't think the council is pro-violence, just they know if they actually get tough on crime, it's going to cause a spike in arrests of young men of certain races, and that will go against their equity goals.

You are making that up out of thin air. None of our elected leaders have ever said such a thing.

DCUM has perfected the art of concern trolling lol.

The county has increased the police budget year over year as well as increased patrols in SS and garages. The new Saturday parking few is specifically designed to pay for increased security. That sounds like they are working on improving security to me.

Pay attention to the council’s actions related to public safety. They have vilified the police force so much over the past three years that the dept is 20% down on officers. Yes, they are throwing money that way because they are trying to correct a problem they created, but they still aren’t able to recruit the numbers they need. People willing to be officers are heading to more supportive counties because this council’s reputation is well known.

Any increased patrols are going to be overworked officers filling vacancies.

I’m a DP and definitely not concern trolling. I’m just one who is going to make sure public safety concerns fall at the feet of the people causing the problem: the council.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If you’re not typically out at 2:30 am , why would this concern anyone?

OP sounds like a concern troll.

OP here. My concern is that the county government seems to think this level of violence is acceptable. It doesn’t really matter to me where in the county the violence happens. I’d like to have less of it and to see a real discussion among our officials of which policies have failed and what needs to be fixed.

I don't think the council is pro-violence, just they know if they actually get tough on crime, it's going to cause a spike in arrests of young men of certain races, and that will go against their equity goals.

You are making that up out of thin air. None of our elected leaders have ever said such a thing.

DCUM has perfected the art of concern trolling lol.

The county has increased the police budget year over year as well as increased patrols in SS and garages. The new Saturday parking few is specifically designed to pay for increased security. That sounds like they are working on improving security to me.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If you’re not typically out at 2:30 am , why would this concern anyone?

OP sounds like a concern troll.

OP here. My concern is that the county government seems to think this level of violence is acceptable. It doesn’t really matter to me where in the county the violence happens. I’d like to have less of it and to see a real discussion among our officials of which policies have failed and what needs to be fixed.

I don't think the council is pro-violence, just they know if they actually get tough on crime, it's going to cause a spike in arrests of young men of certain races, and that will go against their equity goals.

That sounds like de facto pro violence to me.

PS Good luck in the senate primary, Will Jawando! Don’t let the door hit you on the way out.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If you’re not typically out at 2:30 am , why would this concern anyone?

OP sounds like a concern troll.

OP here. My concern is that the county government seems to think this level of violence is acceptable. It doesn’t really matter to me where in the county the violence happens. I’d like to have less of it and to see a real discussion among our officials of which policies have failed and what needs to be fixed.

I don't think the council is pro-violence, just they know if they actually get tough on crime, it's going to cause a spike in arrests of young men of certain races, and that will go against their equity goals.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Next door people are saying the victim was shot 4 times in the head.

If true, that doesn't really sound like a robbery.

It sounds like a murder.

Yeah, so targeted or is there a serial killer in SS?

The fact that the last murder was totally random and also in a parking garage there makes me wonder.

My spouse’s life was threatened in the Ellsworth garage—but not at gunpoint. The man said he would kill my spouse though. Other people showed up and the man drifted away. I assumed mental illness.

We have not gone back to DTSS since.

Not long our situation, a man was shot there.

NP and that is terrifying. I used to go to Silver Spring a lot but these incidences really make me pause. I certainly will not use the parking garages until things are less violent. I don’t care what time these shootings were, I will air on the side of caution and avoid these unsafe parking garages.

Three murders in MoCo in less than a week. White Oak, Silver Spring, and body recovered in Seneca Creek.Not an expert but that one sounds like a gang killing.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Next door people are saying the victim was shot 4 times in the head.

If true, that doesn't really sound like a robbery.

It sounds like a murder.

Yeah, so targeted or is there a serial killer in SS?

The fact that the last murder was totally random and also in a parking garage there makes me wonder.

My spouse’s life was threatened in the Ellsworth garage—but not at gunpoint. The man said he would kill my spouse though. Other people showed up and the man drifted away. I assumed mental illness.

We have not gone back to DTSS since.

Not long our situation, a man was shot there.

Supposedly an attempted kidnapping in DTSS yesterday too.

Anonymous wrote:If you’re not typically out at 2:30 am , why would this concern anyone?

OP sounds like a concern troll.

OP here. My concern is that the county government seems to think this level of violence is acceptable. It doesn’t really matter to me where in the county the violence happens. I’d like to have less of it and to see a real discussion among our officials of which policies have failed and what needs to be fixed.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:There’s been barely any acknowledgment from elected officials about recent crime (multiple shootings, multiple stabbings, assaults, assaults on police).

There has been a forum recently about reimagining policing, though. I suppose that’s what they’re doing: imagining policing isn’t necessary.

There was a huge forum in downtown Silver Spring a couple of months ago about the rise in violent crime (I was there). It was organized by elected officials and they also mentioned other local officials who were present and/or had sent their staff. They also had police and local business owners there. You may think elected officials aren’t doing enough, but it’s not accurate that they’ve barely acknowledged it.

https://moco360.media/2023/03/29/county-officials-discuss-silver-spring-public-safety-measures-during-community-forum/

A lot has happened since that meeting. According to your article, nobody from the council’s Public Safety committee was there. Since they are the 3 directly responsible on the council level, acknowledgement from them seems extremely important. Even required.

The council’s communications within the past two years show them considering a reduced police presence in Silver Spring. From their task force:
“12) Reduce sworn officer FTEs in police Districts 3 and 4 by 50% to reduce patrol officer contact with residents in these districts.” There are plenty of other suggestions that are going to exacerbate crime in DTSS, too, like the suggestion to ignore crimes against society (which includes drugs).
https://ele4a.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/rps-task-force-recommendations-report.pdf


Until I see that document vocally and officially set aside, I’m going to assume nobody on that council is serious about fixing crime in DTSS.

Our elected officials aren’t doing enough. Period.